During the first quarter of 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) dismantled CBS in viewers, while also dominating all of cable for the 20th consecutive quarter, according to Nielsen. Notably, FNC posted its 97th straight quarterly win as the top network in cable news primetime viewership, even besting ESPN despite college football and NFL playoffs.
FNC also ranked as the fastest-growing network in all of television among primetime viewers and secured the top spot in cable among Hispanic and Asian audiences in total day for both Q1 2026 and the month of March.
For the full quarter, FNC delivered 1.7 million total day viewers, occupying more than half the cable news share. In primetime, FNC notched 2.6 million viewers and 265,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC commanded nearly 60% of the audience in both total day and primetime.
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| Ratings Graphics courtesy of RoadMN |
For the full quarter, FNC delivered 1.7 million total day viewers, occupying more than half the cable news share. In primetime, FNC notched 2.6 million viewers and 265,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC commanded nearly 60% of the audience in both total day and primetime.
In March, FNC’s coverage of the ongoing war in Iran drew 3 million viewers and 323,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime, posting double-digit gains in both categories compared to February 2026. In total day, FNC averaged 1.9 million viewers, also delivering double-digit growth month-over-month. FNC’s The Five was the number one program in March with 4.1 million viewers (381,000 A25-54). The program continued its historic streak as the top non-primetime program in cable news for the 18th consecutive quarter. Jesse Watters Primetime led in the advertiser coveted 25-54 demo, nabbing 387,000 A25-54 (3.7 million viewers).
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Late-night success, Gutfeld! continued to soar, drawing in 3 million viewers and 351,000 in 25-54 during the 10 PM/ET hour. Easily outpacing its cable news competition, Gutfeld! also outranked all broadcast and late-night television, including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2 million viewers; 265,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2 million viewers; 299,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.2 million viewers; 250,000 A25-54) and Late Night with Seth Meyers (830,000 viewers; 173,000 A25-54). Gutfeld! reigned supreme in March with 3.2 million viewers, beating all late-night.
Several of FNC’s programs continued to outperform broadcast programs throughout the quarter. At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s The Five extended its historic run as the first non-primetime program to rank as the most watched show in cable news for 18 consecutive quarters. The program secured 4 million viewers and 354,000 in 25-54 demo, marking a 10% increase in viewers compared to Q4 ‘25.
FNC’s flagship newscast, Special Report with Bret Baier (6 PM/ET), garnered more than 3 million viewers and 289,000 in the 25-54 demo. Compared to the previous quarter, Special Report grew 12% and 21% in overall viewership and the 25-54 demo, respectively. During the quarter, Special Report beat CBS Evening News in 19 major markets including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Detroit, Orlando, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Austin, West Palm, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Norfolk and Birmingham.
In Q1 ’26, FNC delivered 14 of the top 15 shows in cable news with viewers, posting double-digit increases across every hour quarter-over-quarter. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle led the competition with 2.9 million viewers and 278,000 in 25-54. Jesse Watters Primetime drew more than 3.4 million viewers and 338,000 in 25-54 in the 8 PM/ET hour, while Hannity (weeknights, 9 PM/ET) dominated the competition with 2.9 million viewers and 301,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher averaged 1.7 million viewers and 216,000 in 25-54.
Nearly all of FNC’s programs scored their highest-rated quarter in a year. From 9-11 AM/ET, America’s Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer dominated its timeslot with 2.1 million viewers and 191,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11 AM/ET, The Faulkner Focus, helmed by Harris Faulkner, drew the largest audience with 2.2 million viewers and 204,000 in 25-54. At 12 PM/ET, Outnumbered led cable news, also securing 2.2 million viewers and 201,000 in 25-54.
The FOX & Friends franchise remained the most-watched morning lineup in cable news throughout the quarter. FOX & Friends (6-9 AM/ET) amassed 1.4 million viewers and 144,000 in 25-54. CBS Mornings posted its lowest-rated quarter on record across viewers and the 25-54 demo. Notably, FOX & Friends beat CBS Mornings in 23 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, Tampa, Detroit, Orlando, Cleveland, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Austin, Greenville, West Palm, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Birmingham, Fort Myers and Knoxville. From 5-6 AM/ET, FOX & Friends FIRST outpaced the competition with 576,000 viewers, a double-digit advantage over the previous quarter, as FOX & Friends Weekends (weekends, 6-10 AM/ET) averaged 1.5 million viewers and 144,000 in the key demo.
Throughout the quarter, FNC also continued to excel against the competition during the weekend.